Munster fares well in raised bog plan

ONLY three of the raised bogs on which turf cutting for domestic use must stop at end of 2011 are in Munster.

They are at Tullaher Lough and Bog in Co Clare, at the Moanveanlagh Bog, in Co Kerry, and Redwood Bog, in Co Tipperary.

About 330 hectares in total are affected in Munster, out of 10,331 hectares nationally at 23 locations.

Turf cutting must stop as they were designated Special Areas of Conservation, as part of Ireland’s requirement to protect habitats of European importance under the Habitats Directive 1992.

However, 75 designated natural heritage area raised bog sites where turf cutting must stop at the end of 2013 include 12 sites in Munster.

in Co Clare, they are at the Doon Lough, Ayle Lower, Loughanilloon, and Cloonloum More bogs.

In Tipperary, turf cutting must cease at the Arragh More, Ballymacegan, Killeen, Scohaboy, Lorrha, Nore Valley, Monaincha/Ballaghmore, Cangort, and Little Brosna Callows bogs.

Bunnaruddee Bog in Co Kerry is also included in the 22,443 hectares nationally of designated NHA bogs. Turf cutting for personal domestic use was allowed until 2009 on 32 raised bogs designated as special areas of conservation.

Totalling 7,081 hectares, they included Sheheree (Ardagh) Bog in Co Kerry, and the Ballyduff/Clonfinane and Kilcarren-Firville Bogs in Co Tipperary

Meanwhile, about €5.4m has been made available in 2010 to the Bog Purchase Scheme for domestic cutters and for compensation of commercial turf cutters.

Priority in the domestic scheme is being given to those wishing to sell their interests in the 32 raised bog sites where turf cutting for personal domestic use was allowed until 2009. To date, over 220 applications have been received from owners of lands/rights within these 32 raised bog SACs.

It is up to interested parties to apply to sell qualifying land under this scheme.